9 Quieter Alternatives to the Most Crowded Tourist Attractions

With Barcelona’s celebrated architecture, golden beaches, tasty tapas, and rich culture, Spain’s second-largest city has so much to offer visitors. Unfortunately, that’s also made it a magnet for overtourism, complete with packed attractions and irate residents. If you’re drawn to Catalonia but want to avoid the drama, it’s worth seeking out a hidden-gem city instead of a crowded one like Barcelona.

Take Tarragona: Located just 60 miles (97 kilometers) down the Mediterranean coast, this vibrant port city shares many of Barcelona’s draws, from scenic beaches to vibrant cuisine, while also offering unique attractions, such as its UNESCO–listed Roman ruins. Book a walking tour to see the best of Tarragona—and congratulate yourself on choosing the city less traveled.

Many of Hawaii’s beaches have become a byword for tropical paradise, from Waikiki Beach in Honolulu and Lanikai Beach on Oahu’s windward coast to Kaʻanapali Beach on Maui, Hawaii’s first planned resort. However, these legendary beaches frequently attract the crowds (and prices) to match their reputations.

On your next trip to the Aloha State, then, it’s worth heading farther off the beaten path. The secluded Papa‘a Bay Beach on Kauai’s northern shore requires a hike to reach, but rewards visitors with pristine swimming conditions. Then there’s Ka‘a‘awa Beach on Oahu, with its dramatic cliffs and snorkeling opportunities, and Maui’s One‘uli Beach (aka Secret Black Sand Beach—its appeal is right there in the name).

While its Renaissance masterpieces, UNESCO–listed historic center, and celebrated dining culture make Florence one of Italy’s most-visited cities, its peak-season throngs can make those attractions harder to experience. Instead of fighting through crowds, discover Tuscany’s local and less-touristed side when you venture to one of its smaller towns.

If you’re after a Florence dupe, head to Arezzo, which boasts a 15th-century basilica with frescoes by Piero della Francesca, plus destination-worthy culinary experiences. Alternatively, experience the timeworn charms of Monteriggioni, famous for its city walls, or discover ancient Etruscan and Roman artifacts in Volterra.

Las Vegas offers visitors more than just the shows and spectacles of the Strip. It’s also a convenient jumping-off point for travelers looking to explore some of the greatest natural wonders in the western US, from the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park to Antelope Canyon. Still, if you’re looking to truly get lost in the great outdoors, it’s worth choosing a quieter national park over the most popular ones.

In this case, skip over Bryce Canyon and straight past Arches in favor of the comparatively calm Great Basin National Park. One of the country’s least-visited national parks, it offers everything from caves and forests to mountain peaks and glaciers. Grand Canyon who?

Sometimes, enjoying a quieter sightseeing experience isn’t about skipping the biggest cities—it’s about visiting less crowded versions of their famous landmarks. Take London: One of the most-visited cities in the world, the capital of the United Kingdom boasts hundreds of museums and major attractions. But it also offers plenty of lesser-known dupes that serve up just as much culture and opportunity for discovery, all with shorter queues and fewer visitors.

Instead of the Natural History Museum—which recently broke visitor records—head to the Horniman Museum or Grant Museum of Zoology. Swap the National Gallery for the Dulwich Picture Gallery. And avoid the British Museum’s ever-present crowds at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology.

We’ll always have Paris—but it might be good to take a break every now and then, especially during the jam-packed summer high season in France. Besides, while Paris attracts a staggering 50 million visitors each year, there are many equally charming and historical French cities that few travelers experience.

Take Tours: The gateway to the Loire Valley (known for its UNESCO–listed châteaux and wineries), this vibrant university city boasts the Notre Dame–rivaling Saint-Gatien Cathedral and distinctive landmarks such as the medieval Place Plumereau. Plus, with its own nearby vineyards and local delicacies from rillettes (shredded, slow-cooked meat) to goat cheese, it’s great for gourmands as well as sightseers.

Here’s a travel tip for avoiding crowds at attractions: Look beyond the big-name, first-result-on-Google sights and seek out similar, lesser-known alternatives. For example, the Blue Lagoon near Reykjavik is one of Iceland’s most-visited highlights. But as international tourism in Iceland has grown, other alternative hot springs have sprung up (and offer a more relaxing way to unwind in nature, given their comparative lack of crowds).

Next time, head to the Hvammsvík Hot Spring on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, seek out the Sky Lagoon geothermal spa (where tickets are strictly limited to reduce crowding), or keep things tranquil at the aptly named Fludir Secret Lagoon.

Patras may be Greece’s third-largest city—after Athens and Thessaloniki—but it still attracts a fraction of the Greek capital’s crowds. It’s a great place for visitors who seek culture and history, but who have no interest in battling their way up the Acropolis.

A vibrant university and port city, Patras is also rich in attractions, from the ancient Patras Castle and Roman Odeon to the nationally regarded Archaeological Museum of Patras. It’s also within convenient day-trip distance of the UNESCO–listed Archaeological Site of Olympia, and is a jumping-off point for exploring other highlights of the Peloponnese, from Nafplio to Kalamata. All in all, Patras makes a great case for visiting alternative European destinations without crowds.

Everyone knows New York City’s top tourist attractions, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and MoMA to Central Park and Broadway. These sights are celebrated around the world (and unsurprisingly top most Big Apple visitors’ to-do lists). But in a place as vibrant and diverse as New York, there’s more to see and do beyond its A-list attractions.

Start by visiting both the Met and MoMA’s satellite campuses—the Cloisters and PS1, respectively—which draw far fewer crowds. For an alternative green space, admire Hudson River views from Fort Tryon Park, and head to the Nuyorican Poets Café for off-beat performance. After all, NYC doesn’t just boast sightseeing heavy hitters—it also offers some of the best uncrowded cultural sites around the world.